Joe Germaine quickly won over Queen Creek players

There was a bit of skepticism among Queen Creek football players when they discovered a new coach would steer the program this season.

Former coach Curt LeBlanc had been with the team since 2001, building a consistent playoff team as the school's population grew and finally settled in Class 4A Division I.

"At first I don't think everyone bought into a coaching change, and that's obviously rough on a program," said senior quarterback Adam Brzeczek.

What changed their mind?

The resume of Joe Germaine.

"We knew we had something special in a coach," Brzeczek said.

When Queen Creek named Germaine coach, it slotted someone at the helm with a knack for winning and that caught the attention of the Bulldogs. Germaine won a state title with Mesa Mountain View in 1993, a Rose Bowl with Ohio State in 1997 and spent four seasons in the NFL.

"He knows the game. He studies the game," Brzeczek said. "And it wasn't that long ago that he played the game. So he knows as a player what we go through, and obviously in high school he won a state championship. So he knows what it takes, so I think it just goes back to all his experience as a player."

Germaine's experience and coaching skills have definitely inspired the Bulldogs (8-1, 3-0), who can take the 4A-I Desert Sky Region championship Friday with a victory against Scottsdale Saguaro. They pulled out a triple-overtime win against Glendale Cactus and scored important region wins against Apache Junction and Cave Creek Cactus Shadows.

"It was a brand-new coaching staff and a new philosophy, so a lot of change has taken place," Germaine said. "But did I anticipate it going this well? Maybe not. We hoped that it would, but I'll tell you the big difference has just been the kids that we have."

The players bought Germaine's theme of discipline and execution and adopted his style of what senior middle linebacker Tyler Peterson called "more smash-mouth.

"It was like learning another language," Peterson said.

But the Bulldogs quickly became fluent and have displayed a deft air and run attack on offense. Brzeczek has completed 101 of 136 passes for 1,665 yards and 14 touchdowns. Senior running back Chim Nga has been the team's most dynamic threat, rushing 1,691 yards on 182 carries for 23 touchdowns.

"They go out there, and we make mistakes obviously," Germaine said. "But for the most part, our kids are executing and playing with great effort and I think that's been the secret."

That type of play is consistent with Queen Creek's motto to "pay the price." There's accountability, high standards, work ethic and sacrifice.

"They paid the price up to this point," Germaine continued. "They really have, and they're kind of seeing some reward from it."

The rest test will come in the playoffs, which Queen Creek has made every year since 2003 but has yet to advance past the quarterfinals in that stretch.

"We know what it takes to compete at our highest level and I feel like if we go out and do that on Friday nights, then we won't have any problem making it past the quarterfinals," Brzeczek said.